SUBMITTED PHOTO Garner Sheffield ramps up the edge of a jump at the skatepark in San Marcos.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Garner Sheffield with BMX star Mat Hoffman.
The jump that dreams are made of
It is rare in life for a person to have the chance to leap past their idol. It is even more rare for someone to have the chance to literally leap over them.
Last week, Wimberley fifth grader Graner Sheffield got that chance, and when the moment arose, he stuck the landing; his idol was impressed enough he gave him a new bike and the encouragement to keep on jumping.
It all started when BMX freestyle bike legend, Mat Hoffman, nicknamed The Condor, visited San Marcos to promote his film, “The Birth of Big Air,” during the Lost River Film Fest last Saturday. BMX freestyle is a type of extreme sport based on stunts performed by bicyclists while ramping over the ebbs and flows of a skatepark.
Hoffman was a pioneer in the BMX freestyle world and holds several records including that of the most accomplished vert-ramp rider in history. He is also the only competitor to ever successfully land a no-hand 900 in competition, a trick in which the rider spins two and a half times without holding the handlebars before landing.
After the showing of the film, an exhibition was held at the San Marcos Skatepark where several professional riders were featured. Many younger riders were allowed to join in and show off their skills.
Wimberley fifth grader, and fan of all things BMX freestyle biking, Garner Sheffield was present and able to meet Hoffman and ride with some of his heroes that day.
Hoffman brought one of his signature bikes to the film fest and declared he would give it to someone during the exhibition. After watching Sheffield do a few tricks, Hoffman challenged Garner to “bunny hop” his bike over him while laying flat on the ground.
After successfully landing the trick and clearing the BMX legend, Hoffman decided to award the bike to Sheffield.
“I can’t believe I won the bike! Mat Hoffman inspires me,” Sheffield said.
The inscription on the Hoffman signature Seeker bike Sheffield won is a poem by Japanese poet, Matsuo, that reads, “Don’t seek to follow in the footsteps of the masters, seek what they sought.” Every time Sheffield rides his new bike, he’ll be able to read this grand piece of wisdom printed right on the handlebars.